Runner attachment for ice skates



Oct. 22, 1940. J. w. HARRISON I RUNNER ATTACHMENT FQR ICE SKATES Filed June 8, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 java/afar r f9/uz W [fa/765010 Oct. 22, 1940.

J. W. HARRISON RUNNER ATTACHMENT FOR ICE SKATES Filed June 8, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet .2

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Patented Oct. 22, 1940 e UNITED STATES RUNNER'ATT'ACHJVIENT ICE SKATES 2 John Harrison, Chicago, 111. Application June 8, 1939, Serial No. 278,038

fsoiaims- (01. 280-1138) 7 V g I portion of the channel member l and is consid' This invention relates to improvements in runner attachments for ice skates and the like.

One of the objects of my inventionis the provision of anrattachment for ice skates whereby a skater is enabled to walk or stand without discomfort while wearing the skates.

Another object of my invention isthe provision of an attachment for ice skates whereby a skater, while wearing skates may without dulling the runner, walk other than on ice.

vA further object of this invention is the provision of a device of the character set forth which is quickly and easily attachable and removable from' a skate while the skate, is being worn. v

A 'still further object of this invention is the provision of a device of the character set forth having means which are automatically operable to secure said device on to a skate.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention further consists of the following .novel features and details of construction to'be hereinafter more fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional ice skate showing my improved runner attachment in place.

' Fig. 2 is a plan ,view of my improved runner attachment. Fig. 3 is a fractional elevation view looking in the direction of. the arrows 3, 3, of Fig. 2 and showing a fractional portion of a skate runner in position. v I

' Fig. 4 is an end elevational view in partial cross section taken on line 4, 4 of Fig. 3.

A'suitable cushion I4 of leather, rubber or other material is disposed in the bottom of the channel in to prevent the runner l2 from'becoming dull. Secured in the channel In are the guide members I6 which have outwardly directed lip portions H which engage the tubular body portion l8 of the skate and serve as a lateral support for same.

The improved skate attachment is provided with forward and rearward. tread portions l9 and 20 respectively, which are formed of rubber, leather or some suitable composition. Thetread portions l9 and 20 are substantially coextensive in width with a conventional shoe sole and are mounted on transversely extending reinforcing elements which are rigidly fixed, as by welding or riveting, to the underside of the channel member ID. Two of such reinforcing elements are provided for the forward tread portion IS. The reinforcing element 2| is positioned at the forward Fig. -is an endelevational view in. partial erably' less expansive injwidth than the reinforcing element 22 whichispositioned rearward+ ly thereof and which is in substantial vertical alinement with the tubular standard 23 of the skate, as shown in Fig. 3, when the attachment is name on the runnerof the skate. Aperforateclear 24 integrally formed with'the element 22 serves as a bearing supportfor the locking eleticularly desirable because when the attachment is inplace, on the runner of a skate while it is being worn, the ball of thefoo-t' isnorinally in vertical alinement with the ele'me'nt22. This lends support'to the foot againstlateralmove ment. f The clamping mechanism, by which the attachment is automatically securable on the runner of askate, comprises an elongated 'rod member 29' which is rotatably supported in'the perforatedears 28 whichare struck out from the wall 26 of the channel member Ill. The rod is v provided with a laterally directed arm 30 which is preferably bent as at 3| as shown inFig. 4. "The rod member 29 is bent as at 32 to provide offset portions which are adapted to enter the slots 34 "of the clamp members-36 which are mounted on the rod member 29, so that the clamp members and rod member are'movable-as 'a unit. 'Torsion spring elements 38 are mounted on the rod 29, with the opposite ends of the spring resting against the clamp member 36 and the wall 26 of the channel bar. These springs serve to normally maintainthe clamp members 36 in looking position'as shown in Figs. 1, land 5. v

A locking element 40 is pivotally supported at 'oneyend, in the ear 24, and ,at the other end, in an aperture 4|, provided inthe wall 26, of the channel member {0. Said latch memberis sub.- 'stantially u shaped in elevation and is provided with av hande'ngaging portion 42 by which it is manually movable. fThe terminal portionlof the latch member '40 extends through the wall 26 and serves as a trip. lever 44. It is -.be n t atright angles to the pivotal axis fof v saiid latch ,mefnber and is angularly disposed relative to 'a horizontal plane through said pivotal axis, as is shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 6. v

It is seen, thatthe'cushion l4 does not extend throughout the full length of the channel l0,

but is divided as at 46 to provide clearance for the movement of the trip lever 44. Referring to Fig. 6, it is seen that the aperture 4|, in the wall 25 of the channel, is positioned below the top surfaceplane of the cushion l4v and that when the latch member 40 is in position "A,- as illustrated by the dotted lines, in Fig. 6, the trip lever 44 assumes the position illustrated by the solid" lines and projects above the .top surface plane of the cushion l4. e

In order to attach my device on a skate, it is merely necessary to move the arm 30'so that it will assume a substantially horizontal position, as shown by the solid lines in Fig. 4. This'movement causes the clampmembers 36 whichare rigidly mounted on the .rod member 29, to move simultaneously inthe same arcuate direction. The latch member is then swung over to 'position- A, Figs. 4 and 6, to engage the arm 30 and to lock same against pivotal movement.

Upon inserting the runner l2 of the skate in the channel I0, the runner is brought into engagement with the trip lever 44. A slightdownward pressure against .the trip lever Willv cause the latch member 40 to'move to position B, Fig. 6. The arm '30 v is thereby released and the torsion s'prings'38. cause the arm 30 and clamps 36 to be pivotly moved to assume the positions indicated in Fig. l and by the dotted lines in Fig. 4. The, clam'p'mer'nbers 36 engage the tubular body portion [8 of the skate and securely hold the attachment on the skate. I

To remove the skate the arm 30 is moved downwardly to bring the clamp members 36 out of engagement with'the tubular body portion l8. The arm may be locked inthe manner above described to condition the attachment for a subsequent application to a skate, runner.

It is thus seen that a convenient and automatically operable device has been provided for attachment to a skate runner. With this device it is merely necessary to set the mechanism in unlocked position and by placing the device on a floor surface and inserting the runner in the channel member the clamp elements are automatically released to'grip the tubular body portion of the skate. The above act is thereby accomplished without any contortion of discomfort to the skater.

It is to be understood. that the form. of my invention, herewith shownand describedfis to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An' attachment for ice skates comprising a channel member adapted to receive a skate runner, clamping members pivotly movable laterally of said channel member and adapted for engagement with a skate body, means associated with said clamping members for normally maintaining said clamping members in engagement with said skate body, locking means for maintaining said clamping members in non-engageable relation with said skate body, actuating means located in said channel member and associated with said locking means whereby the engagement of a skate runner with said actuating means in said channel serves to effect a release of said locking means and to cause the clamping members to move into engagement with said skate body.

21 An attachment for ice. skates comprising a channel memberadaptedtoreceive a skate runner, clamping members pivotly movable laterally of said channel member and adapted for engagement with a skate body, spring means for normally maintaining said clamping members in engage'mentwith said skate body, locking means for maintaining said clamping members in nonengageable relation with said skate body, actuating means in said channel associated with said locking means and operableupon engagementwith a skate runner, when said skate runner is inserted in said channel member whereby said locking means are released to cause the engagement of said clamping members with said skate body.

v 3. An attachment for ice skates comprising a channel member adapted to receive a skate runner, tread portions under said channel member, clamping members for engagement with a skate body, means for pivotly moving said clamping members laterally of said channel member and for normally maintaining same in engagement with said skate body, locking means for selectively maintainingsaid clamping members in nonengageable relation with said skate body, actuating means associated with said locking means and operable upon engagement with a skate runner when said skate runner is inserted in said channel member whereby said locking means are released to cause the engagement of said clamping members with said skate body.

4. In an attachment for ice skates, a channel member adapted to receive a skate runner, an elongated member having a laterally directed arm and being rockably mounted in longitudinal alinement with said channel member, clamping members fixedly mounted on said rod member and adapted for engagement with a skate body, spring means for normally maintaining said clamping members in engagement with said skate body, locking means engageable with said arm for maintaining said clamping members in nonengageable relation with said skate body, actuating means positioned in said channel member and associated with said locking means for releasing said locking means whereby said clamping members are caused to be moved into engagement with said skate body.

5. An attachment for ice skates comprising a channel member adapted to receive a skate runner, clamping members pivotly movable laterally of said channel member and adapted for engagement with a skate body, spring means for normally maintaining said clamping members in engagement with said skate'body, alocking element for maintaining said clamping members in non-engageable relation With'said skate body, depressible means in said channel and associated with said locking element for releasing said looking element, said depressible means adapted to be actuated upon the insertion of a skate runher in said channel member whereby said locking element is released and said clamping members are caused to engage said skate body.

' JOHN W. HARRISON. 

